British cryptocurrency billionaire Ben Delo has donated £4 million to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, saying the UK faces a “grave threat” from political elites. The 42-year-old, who was pardoned by Donald Trump last year after pleading guilty to US anti-money-laundering violations, announced the donation in a Telegraph article.
Delo, who is moving back to the UK from Hong Kong, wrote that he had become politically active for the first time, describing Reform UK as “a genuine alternative party of government”. He cited free speech concerns, including over transgender issues, and said he did not like that “the official culture of government now forces everyone to be chronically dishonest”.
Delo was convicted in 2022 for failing to implement adequate controls at BitMEX, the crypto exchange he co-founded. He said the offence “isn’t even a crime in the UK”. He has donated more than £100 million to philanthropy and supports over 50 organisations, including those with hardline positions on immigration and nationalism, according to a Guardian investigation.
Farage welcomed the contribution, saying: “Ben’s support will help Reform attract more of the skills and talents we need to get ready for government.” The donation comes before new caps on political donations by British citizens living abroad, but Delo’s return to the UK means he will not be affected.
